Arkansas Edged by Texas A&M in Sunday's Series Finale
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The unanimously top-ranked Razorbacks (30-6, 11-4 SEC) could not complete the series sweep, coming up short in the final game of the weekend against Texas A&M (21-17, 4-11 SEC), 11-10, Sunday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium.
Arkansas battled back from a six-run deficit to come within one run of tying the Aggies, but the Hogs never made it all the way and left the bases loaded in the ninth to end the game.
It was a slugfest in the finale as both teams got on the scoreboard early and often. Cayden Wallace ignited the Arkansas offense with a two-out, two-RBI double in the second inning, and the Hogs held a 3-1 lead after the opening two frames.
Texas A&M answered the call by scoring in each of the next four innings, opening a six-run, 10-4 lead by the middle of the sixth. Aggie first baseman Will Frizzell did much of the heavy lifting for the visiting squad, racking up three hits on the day, including a home run, and three RBI.
The Hogs, however, did not go down quietly. Matt Goodheart launched a three-run shot, his fifth home run in four games this week, in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Texas A&M tacked on a run in the top of the seventh, but the Hogs went back to work in the bottom half of the inning. Zack Gregory lined a three-run home run into the right field corner to draw the Razorbacks to within one.
Razorback reliever Jaxon Wiggins gave the Hogs some valuable innings down the stretch Sunday, tossing two scoreless frames in the eighth and ninth to keep Arkansas in the game.
Down by one in the bottom of the ninth, Arkansas drew three walks (one intentional) to load the bases with one out. Texas A&M pitcher Chandler Jozwiak entered the ballgame in relief and struck out Goodheart and Wallace to suppress the rally and seal the win for the Aggies.
Lael Lockhart was the starting man for the Razorbacks on Sunday, and he worked three innings while giving up three runs (two earned) and striking out four Aggies. Gregory and Goodheart led the offensive charge for the Hogs with their three-run shots, each collecting three RBI on the day.
Goodheart has now hit a home run in four consecutive games on two occasions this season. The Razorback slugger, who leads the team in dingers with 11, also accomplished the feat against Memphis and in all three games at Mississippi State (March 24-28).
Arkansas will be back in action Tuesday, April 20, to take on Grambling State in a non-conference contest at Baum-Walker Stadium. First pitch in the six-game homestand’s finale is set for 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network+.
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